The National tribune., 1887-09-29

by the pension laws now on the statute books.
We have also sought 20 infuence State legis-
lation so that aid should be granted TO those
who were not. under then existing national
laws, entitled 10 pensions.
This aid has taken the form Of State Soldiers
and Orphans Homes; Of laws giving to ex-sol-
ders preference i'm the civil service of the
State; and. ia some States. of a special tax for
the temporary relief OF INDECENT soldiers and
their families. An members of the Grand
Army and the people, with here and there an
exception, have given an outspoken aud en-
phatic approval Of these efforts 10 keep our
promise 10 needy comrades and their families.
For this work. more than any other, has the
Grand Army of the Republic liVed-this more
than all else has ennObied its life-for this
cause the Grand Army will, in the future, give
its earnest endeavor-and, by reason OF these
persistent endeavOrs IL will be remembered.
And when all the old soldiers are dead and
gone the memory Of the Grand Any will be
revered because Of this work.
/ have said that all Grand Army men, with
the approval Of the people generally, have been
enlisted in this cause-men of all shades of po-
ltieal belief have been foremost in those efforts,
and never, until this year has il entered the
mind of any well-informed man 10 charge that
this zeal i'm behalf OF our needy comrades was
OF political, partisan character. The Grand
Army Of the Republic will never consent that
this question of pensions shall be classed among
those which men commonly cali partisan.
1t has been for many years discussed by Post,
Department and National Encampments. Many
resolutions and addresses have been adopted
and published. Petitions and appeals have often
been sent 10 Congress. The efforts Of the news
papers OF the country have bcen enlisted and,
with few exceptions, they have heretofore been
in full accord with us There has been no change
Of opinion or change Of method in our ranks.
We have been for years Of one mind in consider
ing il but simple justice that the United
States should at least grant a pension of not
less than Sl2 per month to all persons who
served three months or more in the military or
naval service Of the United States during the
war of the rebellion, and who have been hon
orahly discharged therefrom, and who are now,
or may hereafter be, suffering from mental or
physical disability, not the result Of their own
vicious habits which incapactates them for
the performance OF manual labor.
This has been publicly advocated by us, and
all men, who care TO know, have been fully
aware Of our action; and yet. until recently,
we have heard almost no objection 10 such
measures.
Because others have changed their minds we
need not therefore change ours Our path in
this direction has been straight We have di-
yerged neither 10 the right nor to the left We
have seen before us our needy, disabled COM
rdcs and shoulder TO shoulder we have march
won. We will not desist now. We will not be
persuaded 10 desert them. Because they are
in sorrow aud distress, they are thousand
times moro than ever our comrades. Because
they need help we will draw closer and closer
TO them. They shall not be the inmates Of
the common pauper- -house, nor shall their wild
ows or their orphan children, if we can pre-
vent it.
We will continue TO ask for aid until there is
no lpfc ri slng ffrta a
disabled veterans or their families.
have recited and reiterated this well-known
record of the Grand Army of the Republic for
the information of those who may have been
led TO believe that we have recently made new
and nnheard Of demands for pensions.
That is not so. What we ask now in the
way Of general pensions we have advocated
for years. We ask IL because we believe il 10
be right. We do not think IL is demanding
Too much Many Of cur members are honestly
OF the opinion that IL is not enough, but none
believe it 10 be more than justice demands, aud
Therefore We can conscientiously approve of
such measure on its own merits.
Hhen in February last il was thought proper
that the public should know the opinions of the
members Of the Grand Army Of the Republic
regarding the Dependent Pension Bill then
pending, Circular No. was issued from Ma
tional Headquarters That circular asked for
an expression of the judgment of the Order
for or against the bill. The measure was
almost unanimously endorsed.
Greatly 10 our disappointment and regret the
bill was finally defeated. II was said by some
that there had not been a fair expression of
opinion given by the members Of the Grand
Army of the Republic.
While that assertion was not well founded,
the National Pension Committee, when IL was
determined 90 frame another bill for presenta-
tiOn 10 Congress, decided 20 place the proposed
measure before each Post and ask for vote
thereon, 10 the end that no man could truly say
he does not know, with reasonable certainty,
what the eK-soldiers think Of il.
That vote has been taken in majority of the
Posts, and the measure has been almost unani-
mousy approved; only-votes having been
recorded against it, venture 10 say that nine
/ ieDths of the veterans favor this bill on its
merits If no other can be obtained L believe
this relief will be granted at the next session
OF Congress because il has the approval of a
large majority Of the people.
know that many of you favor another and
/ a broader measure of relief which will embrace
all who served a certain length of time, and can
show an honorable discharge, commonly called
The Service Pension Bill.
/ j am not here 10 argue against that as an ul-
innate measure. now only join in urging you
10 request Congress 20 give immediate relief 10
those who cannot care for themselves. Let us
not ask the disabled comrades TO wait for the
relief they so urgently need now, while we dc.
bate and decide as 10 what other pension meas.
| ures are proper.
For while we debate they are suffering. Let
US do nothing which will postpone the LONG
! coming day of relief for them. / am sure that
such discussion as may be had here on this
aud all other subjects, will be carried on in
that broad spirit of fraternity and knightly
courtesy which should ever characterize the
intercourse OF the members of the Grand Army
OF the Republic.
If acrimony be allowed TO enter into the dis
cnssion of this subject, il will do more TO dis
rupt and injure our Order than all attack,
which may be made upon us 10y outsiders
j hope 10 See, wherever IL is possible TO do so
Posts, or associations Of several Posts. selec
committees 20 take charge of and conduct &,
termination claims for pensions
In very many cases these committees car
transact such business quite as effectively a
anyone else, and the usual fees can be saved b,
those who cannot afford 10 pay them.
] think men can be found in almost every
Post who arc entirely competent, and who viii
be glad 10 give their services for the benefit O
their more unfortunate comrades.
Knowing that ii viii greatly interest you,
present herewith as an appendix 10 this addres
the report Of my predecessor, showing what ha
bepn done in aid Of the veterans and thei
widows and orphans, 10 which | have adde,
such information as could be obtained regard
ing the action OF the several States during tn
past gear.
VETERANS RIGHTS UNION.
The members OF the Veterans Rights Unio,
, arc entitled TO the thanks Of those interests
ia the welfare of ex-soldiers for their CONTINUES
a,,A enrrpesful eforfe "a assist snrb d,s a